Kate James DuVal

DuVAL, Kate James, of Bon Air, Virginia, died peacefully on October 24, 2014, at the Brandermill Retirement Community Health Care Center after struggling for several years with cognitive decline. Kate was preceded in death by her husband, George DuVal Jr.; parents, Helen and Robert James; and siblings, Alpheus James and Margaret Morton. She is survived by her daughter, Helen DuVal; grandchildren, Catherine Ankney and Robert Ankney; and son, George DuVal III and wife, Deborah.

Kate was born and raised in Franktown/ Nassawadox on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and left the Shore after high school to pursue education and a career, but throughout her life, always considered herself a native of the Shore. After graduating from Mary Washington College and the University of North Carolina School of Library Science, she began a 40-year career as a librarian and retired as reference librarian from the University of Richmond's Boatwright Library.

Always maintaining the highest standards of her discipline, Kate assisted many students with their research projects, was awarded support for her work with faculty expanding collections and volunteered at the Virginia Historical Society. One of Kate's earliest positions was at the City of Richmond Public Library, where she met her husband-to-be, George DuVal, and other librarians with whom she maintained close friendships for the rest of her life. A longtime member of Bon Air United Methodist Church,

Kate was an exceptionally kind and caring person who maintained an extensive network of friends and family that she valued highly. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on October 29, 2014 at Bon Air United Methodist Church.